Why The WWII’s Convair B-32 Dominator Never Got the Chance to Prove Itself

World War II saw the development and deployment of numerous bombers that became crucial to the Allied war effort. Among them were the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which dominated the skies over Europe and the Pacific. However, one bomber from this era, the Convair B-32 Dominator, remains less well-known. Despite its late introduction and some operational deployment, the B-32 never achieved the prominence of its counterparts. It was introduced near the end of the war and had limited opportunities to prove its effectiveness. Nevertheless, the story of the B-32 is a fascinating chapter in the history of World War II aviation.

The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, which later became part of Convair, had already established itself as a key player in World War II aircraft production. It was responsible for the highly successful B-24 Liberator and the versatile PBY Catalina flying boat. When the U.S. Army Air Forces decided to develop another heavy bomber to complement the B-29 Superfortress, Consolidated was among the companies tasked with creating a new design. The goal was to have an alternative in case the B-29 program encountered delays or failures. In September 1940, the Army awarded Consolidated a contract to develop what would become the XB-32, later named the Dominator.

Development and Prototypes

The B-32 was initially conceived with many of the same advanced features as the B-29, including pressurized crew compartments and remote-controlled gun turrets. The aircraft was powered by the same Wright R-3350 engines used in the B-29. However, as the development progressed, several design changes were made. The first prototype, which flew in September 1942, closely resembled the B-24 Liberator with its high-aspect-ratio Davis wing and twin-tail design. However, issues with pressurization systems and gun turrets led to significant modifications. The pressurization feature was removed, and manual gun turrets replaced the problematic remote-controlled ones. Additionally, the twin-tail design was replaced with a single vertical stabilizer, which improved stability and control.

The B-32 was a large and powerful aircraft, though slightly smaller than the B-29. It had a maximum gross weight of 100,800 pounds, compared to the B-29’s 133,500 pounds. Despite its size and capabilities, the B-32 faced numerous challenges during its development. The first prototype crashed in May 1943, delaying the program further. A second prototype flew later that year, and by 1944, the aircraft was undergoing evaluation. Flight tests revealed that while the B-32 was relatively easy to fly, it had several drawbacks. Pilots reported issues with noise, vibration, and excessive trim changes when using the flaps. Additionally, the aircraft’s high landing and takeoff speeds made it less user-friendly compared to other bombers.

Entering Production

By the time the B-32 entered production, Consolidated had merged with Vultee Aircraft to form Convair. This corporate change had little impact on the Dominator program, which continued to move forward. The first production models rolled off the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, in late 1944. Initially, the U.S. Army Air Forces placed an order for 1,500 B-32s. However, the success of the B-29 Superfortress in combat and its ability to meet the Army’s needs led to a reduction in the order. Only a fraction of the planned B-32s were built, with many completed aircraft relegated to training roles or placed in storage.

The first operational B-32s were delivered to the Pacific theater in early 1945. They were assigned to the 386th Bombardment Squadron, part of the 312th Bombardment Group, which had previously flown the Douglas A-20 Havoc in a light attack role. Transitioning to the B-32 marked a significant change for the squadron, as it shifted from light attack missions to heavy bombardment operations. The squadron began training with the new bombers in the Philippines, preparing for combat missions against Japanese targets.

Combat Deployment

The B-32 flew its first combat mission on May 29, 1945. Two aircraft from the 386th Bombardment Squadron attacked a target in the Cagayan Valley in the Philippines, dropping eighteen 1,000-pound bombs from an altitude of 10,000 feet. The mission was successful, with bombs striking their targets and causing significant damage. This marked the beginning of the Dominator’s brief combat career.

Throughout June 1945, the B-32 conducted additional missions, primarily targeting Japanese installations in Taiwan and other areas. These missions demonstrated the aircraft’s capabilities, but they also highlighted its limitations. Maintenance issues and mechanical problems were common, as the B-32 had not undergone the same rigorous testing and refinement as the B-29. Despite these challenges, crews appreciated the bomber’s speed and payload capacity. Staff Sergeant Julius Kossor, a ball turret gunner, noted in his diary that the B-32 was a “good fast ship” and performed well during missions.

By the summer of 1945, the war was drawing to a close. The use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August accelerated Japan’s surrender, and large-scale bombing campaigns became unnecessary. However, the B-32 continued to play a role in the final days of the war. On August 17, 1945, four Dominators conducted photo reconnaissance missions over Japan. These missions encountered resistance from Japanese forces, including anti-aircraft fire and fighter attacks. Despite the official surrender announcement, some Japanese units continued to engage Allied aircraft. During one of these missions, Sergeant Anthony Marchione, a crewman aboard a B-32, was killed, becoming the last U.S. combat fatality of World War II.

Post-War Fate

With the end of the war, the need for the B-32 diminished rapidly. The aircraft had been developed as a backup to the B-29, but its limited combat deployment and the conclusion of hostilities rendered it obsolete. The U.S. Army Air Forces canceled further production orders, and most of the existing B-32s were scrapped or placed in storage. Only a few examples survived, with one or two aircraft preserved for historical purposes.

In hindsight, the B-32 Dominator’s story reflects the challenges of wartime aircraft development. Designed to meet an urgent need, it entered service too late to make a significant impact. While it demonstrated potential in its brief combat career, the B-32 was overshadowed by the more advanced and widely used B-29 Superfortress. Today, the Dominator remains a footnote in the history of World War II aviation, a reminder of the rapid pace of technological innovation and the shifting priorities of wartime production.